GARY Griffith III, similar to many teenagers in Trinidad and Tobago, and around the world, dreams about playing professional football for the national team and for their favourite club.
However, the hopes and young career of the 18 year old, uniquely, have attracted national attention owing to his parents – particularly his father, Gary Griffith Jr.
The bullish Commissioner of Police is no stranger to social media squabbles and needs little invitation to boast about his son's achievements – a football scholarship in England, a contract with Coleraine FC in the Northern Ireland Premier League (conditional upon acquiring a UK work permit), national under-17 caps and recently training with the national men's squad.
The CoP recently challenged anyone who felt his son was not a good footballer, to play him in a small-goal game.
He even offered to give them a four-goal cushion and guaranteed his son would still beat them.
If his son lost, the top cop promised to eat his police cap.
Aside from his dad, Griffith III's mother is former Miss TT Nicole Dyer-Griffith.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Newsday, Griffith III said he has got accustomed to the spotlight that comes with being the son of two high-profile parents. However, he wants to create his own path.
There have been claims that his path has been made easier due to his father's influence.
Griffith Jr enjoyed a close relationship with former national coach Terry Fenwick and allowed the national team to train at the Police Barracks, helped with transport and provided meals.
Griffith III does not believe doors have been opened unfairly to him because of his father. In fact, he said it has had the opposite effect.
“My parents are on their path and I am on mine. A lot of people will think and believe because of who they are it will have me in a good position for football – it is exactly the opposite.
“I have been victimised because of who they are. Certain individuals will single me out because of who they are. I have played in trials for the under-15 (team) and I only got half an hour (to play) because they told me they don’t want to look bias and I had to shine in that half an hour.”
[caption id="attachment_896050" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Gary Griffith III (left), fellow TT youth player Jesse Williams (right) and James McLaughlin with Coleraine FC sweaters. PHOTO COURTESY GARY GRIFFITH III FACEBOOK PAGE -[/caption]
Griffith III said he was not even given a meal during the trials.
“Most people don’t even know all of this, but I just keep level-headed and keep humble and play my game because of the love for the game. My entire family sees something great in me and I am doing it for them as well…The criticism just makes me stronger and I will just keep pushing on.”
He added, “My father is the Commissioner of Police and the school Sunderland College has nothing to do with that. Also, (at) Coleraine FC nobody knows who my father is, because when I go in Europe nobody knows who is the Commissioner of Police.”
THE TRINI LAVAR
